A single-frequency, diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser at 657 nm: a frequency and intensity noise comparison with an extended cavity diode laser

Author:

Portela, MNWetter, NUZondy, JJCruz, FC

Abstract:

We report on a continuous wave, diode-pumped, intracavity frequency-doubled Nd:YLF (yttrium lithium fluoride) single-frequency ring laser designed for high-resolution spectroscopy of the calcium intercombination transition at 657 nm. We measured its frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) noise and compared it with an extended cavity diode laser (ECDL). The Nd: YLF laser has much lower FM noise, extending to 50 kHz in comparison with 5 MHz for the ECDL, and slightly higher AM noise, transferred from the pump diode laser. This characterization is important for the design of servo-systems for frequency or intensity stabilization, and also for quantum optics experiments. A Nd: YLF laser at 657 nm can become an attractive high-power 'local oscillator' for a calcium optical clock, with a fundamental 'telecom wavelength' that can be directly used for remote transfer in optical fibers.